Zimbabwe President Mugabe resigns amid impeachment hearing

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe resigned Tuesday, ending nearly four decades of rule in the southern African country.

The country’s Parliament speaker said he received a letter from the 93-year-old leader soon after lawmakers launched impeachment proceedings against him. The letter submitted to Parliament by Mugabe said his decision to resign was voluntary.

Mugabe, who ruled over Zimbabwe since 1980, succumbed to mounting pressure for his resignation amid political turmoil that triggered a military takeover a week ago and widespread protests.

Earlier Tuesday Zimbabwean lawmakers launched impeachment proceeding against the longtime authoritarian leader.

Parliament members cheered as they listened to allegations against Mugabe, including that he “allowed his wife to usurp constitutional power” and that he is “of advanced age.”

Mugabe was accused of allowing his unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe to threaten to kill the recently fired Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other officials.

The impeachment motion was introduced by the ruling party and seconded by the opposition.

The move comes after the ruling ZANU-PF party’s Central Committee voted to oust the president as party leader and select Mnangagwa as his replacement.

The move could eventually allow the former vice president to become head of state.

“The people of Zimbabwe have spoken with one voice and it is my appeal to President Mugabe that he should take heed of this clarion call and resign forthwith so that the country can move forward and preserve his legacy,” Mnangagwa said in his statement, after more than a week of silence.